Dominican Republic, is it rubbish?

[Heels99]

Have been to quite a few places in carribbean but never here. It is cheaper than other Carib destinations, is this because it is down market, does everyone get ill, is it chavvy, is it basically rubbish? Or is it fab and great value?
Why don't virgin fly there, anyone know?
Anyone recommend top end hotel for families?
Is there much to see on island?
Is being on the same island as Haiti an issue?

Thanks in advance

Hi I've been to a Riu hotel complex of 3 hotels. It was gated and we could use all facilities of 3 hotels. We did few trips and witnessed such poverty, we'd been warned before hand so took extra toiletries and children's toys which we left. It was a lovely holiday overall my favourite one ever.

Used to go there quite a bit with work.... Mainly Peurto plata

We used to call it paupers paradise.
Not keen.

Oh and on hygiene. The kitchens were steam cleaned after every single meal setting! So absolutely no illness and very very family friendly. I hope to go back one day.

Riu Bachata. Just looked it up.

We loved it!

We don't do AI, we rented an apartment, had Spanish lessons, scuba lessons, dc did snorkelling and surfing.

Fantastic, our best ever holiday.

Only1 scoop, why weren't you keen?
And do you mean paupers as in local poverty or holidaymakers?

As in the holiday makers....

It was a nick name....when we first started going we had to pull out ....as everyone was getting food poisoning due to poor hygeine in the hotels.

Just not my kind of place.... I hate all inclusive 'compounds' and I do find the poverty there upsetting.

Punta Cana has beautiful beaches though and Santa Domingo is steeped in history ....the oldest city in the Americas....

I like to get out and explore and I never felt that safe there.

Heels sorry....I missed your other points....

Yes it borders with the country of Haiti but I don't think you would actually be aware of this other than Geographically.

I'm unsure why Virgin don't fly there....although there are some very upmarket golfing resorts now where many am A lister can be spotted apparently....

There are many tours etc and parts of the island were used for filming of Jurassic park.

Barcelo used to have some nice properties over there but as I haven't been for a number of years I'm not entirely sure where is great now.

Hope you have a good hol wherever you end up.

Thanks all. I am not swung on it, looking at several other options inc florida

DH got a terrible case of food poisoning there several years ago.

We have been four times staying on the Samana peninsula in the east of the island, i.e. furthest from Haiti; unspoilt, uncrowded. We stayed at the Bahia Principe El Portillo twice with the family, very reliable chain, fabulous beach, huge rooms, excellent food no tummy troubles, great for kids , normal people not chavvy. Long transfer now though because Thomson/First choice have changed the airport they use. Check it out on Trip Advisor.

I would avoid the Puerto Plata area even though the transfer is shorter.
Bahia Principe also have another hotel in Samana on its own island, fantastic but adults only.

We went 15 years ago when tourism was just starting (pre-kids). Really couldn't complain. I love beaches and have been multiple times to the Maldives, Seychelles, Zanzibar and I have to say it has the most beautiful beaches. I still have photos up in my house.

Don't know what it is like now tbh - looks like a lot more luxury 5 star hotels there now so I don't see why it would be much different from going anywhere else in the Caribbean?